MarketWatch Slams Windows 8, Calls it Unmitigated Disaster

[JMH]

The MarketWatch reviews the latest release of Windows 8, and it isn't pretty.

John Dvorak from MarketWatch recently uploaded his review of the current Windows 8 Release Preview, calling the upcoming OS an "unmitigated disaster" that could possibly hurt the company and its future as an OS provider. While this opinion may sound a little harsh regarding an operating system still baking in the oven, many of his comments echo remarks made by other journalists in their hands-on reviews, past and present.

"The real problem is that it is both unusable and annoying," Dvorak writes. "It makes your teeth itch as you keep asking, 'Why are they doing this!?' First of all, the system-software product is mostly divorced from all the thought and trends developed by Windows over the years, as if to say that they were wrong the whole time, so let's try something altogether new. No business will tolerate this software, let me assure you. As a productivity tool, it is unusable."

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Wi...-Metro-UI-John-Dvorak,15901.html#xtor=RSS-181

 

[JMH]

[h=1]Final thoughts on Windows 8: A design disaster[/h]

Summary: The biggest problem with Windows 8 is that it wasn’t born out of a need or demand. Its design failures, particularly with ‘Metro UI’ will likely be its downfall. Here’s why.

A week ago, Microsoft delivered the Windows 8 Release Preview, the final pre-release of the platform before the forthcoming operating system hits the release-to-manufacturing stage. OEMs get their hands on the final code at this stage, followed by Windows 8’s general availability where it’s available to us all.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/final-thoughts-on-windows-8-a-design-disaster/20706

 

[JMH]

Microsoft reinvents the wheel with Windows 8

I am writing this review on a computer that runs Windows Vista. It’s not that bad. Generally speaking, I like Microsoft Corp. and what it has done.

Over the years, I’ve even supported the idea that Microsoft’s Bob interface was mismarketed and actually was unique and interesting.

That said, Windows 8 looks to me to be an unmitigated disaster that could decidedly hurt the company and its future.

This opinion is based on using the new release candidate beta that is pretty much what will finally ship after some bug fixes.

It’s not that the product out-and-out stinks. It is refreshingly slick-looking and modern, albeit without any charm whatsoever.


The real problem is that it is both unusable and annoying. It makes your teeth itch as you keep asking, “Why are they doing this!?”

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-reinvents-the-wheel-with-windows-8-2012-06-01

 

[marsmimar]

Windows 8 is certainly a very different operating system than what I'm used to. I have a machine running Windows 98, one running XP, and one running Windows 7. If these operating systems were to suddenly disappear from the face of the earth, I could probably force myself to use Windows 8 at home even though I don't have any overwhelming need for Metro. However, I cannot envision big businesses that are still using XP (and slowly transitioning to Windows 7) making this huge leap to jump on the Windows 8 bandwagon.

I work for a company with about 600 employees. Every work station has a desktop and most employees are also issued a laptop. Every computer is/was running XP because it just plain worked. Our IT department started upgrading to Windows 7 late last year. They expect to be finished by early 2013. Some computers have to be replaced because they are seriously underpowered. All employees will be going through a training program to familiarize them with Windows 7. This is a tremendous added expense for any business to undertake in a questionable economy.

Windows 7 RTM has been out for a bit more than 2 1/2 years and a lot of people/businesses are still using XP. I don't see businesses upgrading to Windows 8 any time soon. I do see a lot of individual computer enthusiasts making the move. But will that be enough to keep Microsoft out of the red?

 

[JMH]

Windows 8: Not even Microsoft thinks businesses will use it

An entire enterprise cycle binned in Metro madness

Analysis Like Thelma and Louise, executives at Microsoft's Windows division have no doubts about which direction they want to point the car. It's pedal to the floor, and over the cliff as fast as they can drive.

Last week the latest Windows 8 public preview confirmed what many had expected and feared: there will be no compromise on the schizophrenic user interface behaviour Microsoft is forcing on users.

As I wrote in March, the problem isn't the tablet-friendly Metro layer per se. It's the severe disruption to the everyday experience caused by integrating Metro front and centre. The start menu has gone, but pressing the Windows key now throws the user into a radically different environment with a completely different design, behaviour and even scaling.

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2012/06/07/win8_enterprise_yesno/

 

[niemiro]

The more negative reports I hear, the more I want to like it, and the more I want to learn to like it. Maybe I am just mad, but I actually really want it to do well once people get used to it and give it time and stop moaning about the old ways.

 

[zigzag3143]

Absolutely Richard.

Love it or hate it its coming in its current incantation so either use it and get used to it, or stay with win 7 and get used to full touch in win 9.

 

[JMH]

Things new are frequently treated with suspicion.
Reality. Times move on.
One either embraces new technology or gets left behind.

 

[Corrine]

... or stay with win 7 and get used to full touch in win 9.

I believe that people who have a touch screen will appreciate Windows 8 more than desktop users. That said, I've used an HP TouchSmart and found that the novelty of reaching out to the touch screen wore off very quickly. My laptop sits on my desktop with an external keyboard and mouse on the pull-out tray. It is not an easy reach with the monitor at least an arm-length away. (Depending on monitor size and the person's vision, it is recommend that the monitor be ~20-30" away.)

Considering ergonomics, I cannot envision a complete conversion to touch, particularly in the business environment. It was not long after the introduction of PC's in the office where I worked that musculoskeletal issues began showing up. It got so bad that I ended up being trained to conduct in-house reviews of the Legal Staff. In addition to each staff member receiving an annual review, any time there was an office move or replacement computer, it was a requirement that there be an ergonomic check.

Occasionally reaching for the monitor the swipe or tap is one thing, but even that is a "stretch" with a proper desktop configuration -- and by "desktop", the positioning of a laptop, external monitor, etc. area included.

Consider that these are very old figures that I found via search. How high are the costs now?

Ergonomics - ErgoFact - Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration February 1999

Why are WMSDs a Problem?

In 1996, more than 647,000 American workers experienced serious injuries due to overexertion or repetitive motion on the job. These work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) account for 34 percent of lost workday injuries. WMSDs cost employers an estimated $15 to $20 billion in workers' compensation costs in 1995 and $45 to $60 billion more in indirect costs. [bold added]

From 2008

Poor Ergonomics are Bad for Business | PCWorld:

Work-related RSI cases are at an all-time high and the cost to businesses is spiraling, new Microsoft research reveals.

Repetitive strain injury cases have soared by over 30 percent in the last year, costing businesses over US$600 in lost working hours and causing pain and debilitating discomfort to over-worked staff.

Microsoft claims the rapidly emerging trend of 'mobile working' -- with office-based employees now working on the move for an average of an hour more per day than they did two years ago using laptops and mobile devices -- is behind this alarming climb in work-related injury.

Repetitive Strain Injury costs business £300m in lost working hours:

Two out of three employees suffer from work-related repetitive strain injury (RSI), costing businesses more than £300m in lost working hours, a study has found.

Research commissioned by computer giant Microsoft discovered that 68% of respondents were suffering or had suffered from back, wrist, hand or shoulder pain, key indicators of RSI.

Cases have soared by 30% in the past 12 months, and HR directors should be worried about additional costs for temporary staff, lost man-hours and wasted time.

 

[GZ]

There should be a feature in Windows 8 to turn metro on/off.